Invasive species in Nebraska: The battle for Nebraska’s natural legacy

Emerald ash borer

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, is a small, metallic green, highly destructive exotic beetle native to China and eastern Asia. It was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002, and since then has been responsible for the death or decline of more than 15 million ash trees in the Detroit area. Since its discovery, emerald ash borer has killed more than 20 million ash trees in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. However, the larvae (the immature stage) feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Infestation is always considered fatal. There currently are no known predators of the ash borer in North America.

What does this mean to Nebraskans?

Emerald ash borers probably arrived in the United States on solid-wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in their native Asia. The threat of the emerald ash borer has sparked a nationwide campaign to prevent transportation of infested wood materials, including firewood and pallets, into uninfested areas.

Ash trees are well established in the communities and rural areas of Nebraska. Though emerald ash borer has not yet been found in Nebraska, the risk is high. Therefore, do not move firewood, do inspect your trees for signs of infestation, and spread awareness of the threat posed by the ash borer. Control efforts have cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries tens of millions of dollars ( www.emeraldashborer.info). With early detection, damage can be prevented.

The strategy

These example invaders are only a cross section of invasive species threatening or potentially threatening Nebraska. We have witnessed the damage invasive species have caused in other countries and here in our own backyard. We have seen cane toads in Australia, zebra mussels in the Great Lakes region, non-native fire ants in the south, and European starlings on our porches. However, by taking a cue from what has happened elsewhere in the world, we can learn how to defend the homefront.

Many Nebraskan’s have witnessed firsthand the loss of biodiversity and the damage that invasive species can cause to their property. Those who have not been directly affected have been indirectly affected by the impacts of invaders due to decreased yields in agricultural crops and other impacts on human food supplies, and threats to the natural resources and ecosystem functions we have come to depend upon. Mitigation can sometimes require the use of pesticides and herbicide applications that may have negative impacts on amphibian and invertebrate communities, water quality and human health. In some cases the economic or ecological costs of invasive species control can outweigh the benefits derived from control. Additionally, few control efforts work with one treatment application, and invasive species are often the first to colonize an area where other invasive species have been removed.

Mitigation often requires increased use of pesticides, which may adversely affect beneficial organisms, water quality and human health. The cost of mitigation measures is a reason for concern. For example, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service increased its annual spending on emergency eradication programs more than twentyfold during the 1990s - from $10.4 million to $232 million.

With ever increasing globalization and technological advances, humans are developing faster and more efficient ways to trade goods across ecological boundaries, further increasing the rate at which species are transported across geographic and geopolitical borders.

What does this mean for Nebraskans?

Taking the responsibility to survey for and report invasive species is a large first step. If you identify signs of any of the species listed above, or any species known to be a non-native invasive species in Nebraska, report it. Prevention and awareness will help keep native Nebraska ecosystems healthy, and save Nebraskans heavy costs down the road.

Be sure to plant native plant species in your yard. Native species are beautiful and colorful, and contribute greatly to the success of native wildlife and invertebrates. More importantly, native species are adapted to the ecosystem and will take less time and money investments for property owners. Do not release or transport animals or plants. If you are a pet owner, return your animal to an animal rescue organization, like the Nebraska Humane Society. NEVER release an animal into the wild. Though it may feel like the right thing, these animals will either die, interbreed with closely related native species, or may otherwise harm native species and native habitat. Do not transport firewood or wood materials. Invertebrates traveling on these products may not be visibly detectable, but the damage they can cause is devastating. Inspect your terrestrial and aquatic vehicles before transporting them into Nebraska waters and roadways. Fish, invertebrates, seeds and vegetation can latch onto these vehicles and establish in native ecosystems, greatly impacting the native communities and potentially destroying sportfishing populations and recreational areas. Do not dump your bait. Though it may seem like an easy disposal method, releasing bait into a new ecosystem runs the risk of releasing invaders. Protect the population for every outdoor enthusiast, including you.

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